The idea that competition regulators might mimic Britain's Office of Fair Trading and recommend a free-for-all in newspaper distribution is a big headache for Spanish distributors.

"This would be a problem for smaller magazines, because a lot of them would not be viable," said José Manuel Anta of Spain's Federation of National Associations of Distributors of Published Goods (Fande).

"It would lead to self-censorship among publishers, who would decide not to risk publishing some things. We are talking about information and culture here, not foodstuffs."

Spain's newspaper distribution network is divided into areas, with each newspaper handing an exclusive distribution deal to a single distributor in each area, such as Madrid, Catalonia or Andalucía.

The service is irregular. The national press does not get to some rural areas until mid-morning or later.

Larger distributors, often owned by one or more newspaper publishers, are beginning to get a hold on much of the market.

Smaller distributors, espe cially those that serve rural areas and village shops, often double up as distributors of books and other goods.

Whoever might benefit from the introduction of competition, it certainly would not be newspaper and magazine readers, Mr Anta said.

"The advantages of competition would be felt along the commercial chain, but the price of a newspaper would stay the same," he said.

Spaniards are less dependent on their local supermarkets than the British, and newspaper sales there are relatively small.

Convenience store chains and petrol stations may be in the strongest position to bargain for better discounts with distributors if competition is introduced.

Most of the Spanish press is still sold through the colourful, magazine-clad kioskos on city streets and small-town shops.

"Life is complicated enough for the people who own them as it is," said Mr Anta.

But Carlos Olivares, owner of a Madrid newsagents, said that he has his hands tied by the distributors. "They generally do a good job, but you have to accept what they say," he said.